Cross-Cultural Analysis of Mistress of Spices

Abstract

Indian-American author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni often writes about the experiences of immigrants to the United States. She is skilled at portraying the diverse cultures of India, especially Bengali traditions. Her novels reflect these cultural practices through intimate family stories that are closely tied to social, cultural, and psychological norms, especially in relation to food. The Bengali culture is a recurring theme in her work, highlighting how immigrants try to keep their home culture alive while adapting to the dominant culture of their new country. In The Mistress of Spices, for example, the immigrants face challenges in a foreign land but remain committed to their cultural beliefs while also learning and adapting to the ways of their new home. Divakaruni presents Indian culture and traditions realistically in this novel. This article takes a Cross-Cultural Studies approach to explore themes of multiculturalism, post-colonialism, and globalization, focusing on American characters, culture, and people, and examining the theories and debates around globalization.